Customer Reviews

Dissident Discipleship: A Spirituality of Self-Surrender, Love of God, and Love of Neighbor

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought "Dissident Discipleship" during my lunch hour today I have already managed to read about 5 chapters. I find this book to support and re-inforce the theme and thesis of another book I just read, "Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World," by Lee C. Camp.
"Mere Discipleship," blew my socks off and has completely shifted my paradigms as well as those whom I have persuaded to also read it. After reading "Mere Discipleship" I felt so empowered and so close to the truth that I had to talk about it and had to seek similar material. "Dissident Discipleship" is very much on the same track as "Mere Discipleship"- they are both published by Brazos Press.
I am looking foreward to further devouring Augsburger's offering..I like what I have seen so far and have much affinity for what he says in the 5th chapter entitled "The Practice of Resolute Non-Violence" and under the sub heading of "Love Not The Domination System". Based on what I have read there alone I can already reccomend this book and offer my opinion that every Christian should read it as well as the other book I have mentioned. I believe that the Church in general is bound for a cultural shift on par with the reformation...these books are part of the vanguard of that revolution.

A friend once observed that our church teaching and preaching ought to "put the cookies on a higher shelf." Setting the bar higher is exactly what David Augsburger tries to do in his new book Dissident Discipleship. In contrast to what he calls "standard Christian spirituality," authentic or genuine discipleship is necessarily "dissident" because it radically subverts conventional wisdom and values. In the words of Jim Wallis, "What matters most today is whether one is a supporter of establishment Christianity or a practitioner of biblical faith. Establishment Christianity has made its peace with the established order. It no longer feels itself to be in conflict with the pretensions of the state, with the designs of economic and political power, or with the values and style of life enshrined in the national culture. Establishment Christianity is a religion of accommodation and conformity, which values realism and success more than faithfulness and obedience" (p. 204).

Drawing upon his deep roots in the Anabaptist tradition, Augsburger proposes a "tripolar" spirituality with three interdependent movements--upward towards God, inward towards self, and outward towards neighbor, in contrast to "monopolar" and "bipolar" spiritualities. In successive chapters he describes the seven traits or practices of this subversive spirituality: radical attachment, stubborn loyalty, tenacious serenity, habitual humility, resolute nonviolence, concrete service, and authentic witness. After a concluding chapter he includes six appendices. Given his Anabaptist heritage, Augsburger interacts with the sorts of scholarly sources that you would expect (Kraybill, Wallis, Stringfellow, Yoder, Will Campbell, Tolstoy, etc).

Theologically, the Anabaptist tradition epitomizes Niebuhr's "Christ against culture" paradigm, so believers who are inclined, say, to the paradigms of "Christ of culture" or "Christ above culture" will take exception to its underlying assumptions. Practically, in claiming that his is "not your ordinary garden variety, but the stubborn, persistent, radical spirituality appearing in unusual people across the last two thousand years," Augsburger inadvertently, and I am sure unintentionally, claims the high ground for an elite marine corp of spirituality. The majority of "usual" and "ordinary" believers who are enmeshed in the compromises and contradictions of every day lives, jobs, families, finances, etc. are consigned to the status of pikers and posers. Finally, I found Augsburger's book overwritten and awkward in style (eg, "I suspected that he knew I knew that he knew I knew." p. 100). In the end, though, he does a fine job of pointing us toward Truth North. Reading the Sermon of the Mount convinces me of that.

I saw this book as I was preparing a sermon on serving others. I read one chapter for research, and read the rest of it because it seemed interesting. This book was not as good as I hoped.

The book does good at introducing the topic of tripolar spirituality, which is contained in the subtitle: Self-surrender, Love Of God, and Love of Neighbor. He divides his book into eight chapters, on the practices of radical attachment, stubborn loyalty, tenacious serenity, habitual humility, resolute non-violence, concrete service, authentic witness, and subversive spirituality. Each chapter starts with a definition for the subject and includes two or more stories for that point. At the end of each chapter is a segment that answers objections, and closes with a thought to meditation.

One drawback -- the focus of this book is anthrocentric -- what part does man play in the discipleship process -- rather than theocentric, or what God does in our heart. It definitely is not strong on doctrine or an the inner working of the Spirit to conform us to Christ's image. A non-believer can adapt these teachings in their life. Ghandi, a Hindu, was treated as a hero while Billy Graham in one part was treated as not having as lasting a ministry as the unknown-to-me Dorothy Day.

Another drawback -- it defines Anabaptist in a more narrow way than I would. I consider myself anabaptist, but the anabaptist distinctives I am familiar with (e.g. the Bible being the only authority, the autonomy of the local church, the priesthood of all believers) are not touched on, while pacificism and simplicity of lifestyle are more emphasized. I know a Mennonite who does not believe a true Christian can support the just war theory; Augsburger at least recognizes this is not true. But he equates a Christian in the military putting Ceasar above Christ, even though the New Testament frequently uses a soldier as an example of the Christian life, which Augsburger ignores.

One other thing is that Augsburger seems to indicate that a true Christian who is showing tripolar spirituality would probably be liberal politically. Never mind that abortion, which he doesn't mention, is not loving the unborn neighbor.

These weaknesses were enough to drop this book down to three stars. But it doesn't change the fact that Christians should be focused on loving and serving others. Christians should be more of a community. Christians should stand for truth even when persecution is imminent.

Dissident Discipleship is nothing short of daring and dazzling. Augsburger draws our attention to a Jesus-shaped, incarnational, communal, radical, and subversive spirituality. He explores seven areas of radical discipleship, each rooted in the Anabaptist tradition that forces us to deal with the life and teachings of Jesus for what they are: radically counter-cultural and relentlessly loving. Peppered with helpful illustrations from history and personal experience, Augsburger's writing style is passionate, vivid, bold, and unpretentious. His use of words helps us encounter familiar concepts in fresh ways. Two thumbs up (or five stars forward) for this courageous book.

I consider myself a simple person--a grandfather from a farming background with an undergraduate degree--and I question how a book like this gets published. It reads like a wandering rough draft. The whole thing needs to be sharpened and distilled, and half of the sentences need to be reworked. My undergrad English teachers would cringe.

Most of what Augsburger has to say is supported by Christian scripture (thus 2 stars instead of 1). The problem is, he doesn't have much to say but goes down a wandering, cumbersome road to say it. His discussion on the Anabaptist view of war starts out fine, but it comes up short by failing to ask the challenging questions of a seasoned author. I was disappointed, because I largely agree with the Anabaptists regarding war. It also in my opinion doesn't show adequate sensitivity to those families who have willingly suffered and sacrificed during wartime.

I question Augsburger's premise that extrinsic activity brings about intrinsic transformation. I realize that extrinsic activity and intrinsic transformation form a symbiotic relationship, but Augsburger's preoccupation with activity and his lack of emphasis on personal spiritual disciplines seems backwards (Luke 10:41-42). This, however, is not the reason for "2 stars." Like perhaps many of you, I seek out books that challenge me with differing opinions. I just don't like to read books that are poorly written. There is a reason why classic works endure. This is definitely not a classic.


PhD programs and publishers: Step it up, please.

I have known David Augsburger as a friend and teacher. I have read a number of his books and heard him speak. This book is the culmination of many years of ministry, teaching and writing. I have had an on-going interest in Christian Spirituality for many years. I have read and studied ancient and contemporary writers on this subject. "Dissident Discipleship" takes Christian Spirituality to a new level. Augsburger convincingly shows that Christian Spirituality has to be more than about "my God and I." It is a tri-polar Spirituality that involves self-surrender, love of God and love of neighbor. He is very specific in what these mean. They are very practical and not just nice platitudes. For example, love of neighbor will be most deeply expressed when we come to love even our enemy.

I believe that this will be a book for all times. I higly recommend it to all readers interested in Christian Spirituality.